Today there are 193 countries that are recognized by the United Nations. In addition, there are several other disputed areas and territories that some consider independent nations. So, depending on how you count, there are anywhere between 190-220 countries in the world today. Many of these nations are considered “closed access/creative access/limited access/restrictive access” countries. […]
I cannot thank you enough for learning alongside me these past months. As we finish this series on the missiology of the international church, I want to invite you ponder this question with me: What would it take? What would it take to put the international church on the map as one of the mission’s […]
Few experts on international churches have captured the history of the movement like Ken MacHarg.1 In a recent exchange with Ken, he recounted the strategic vision behind the Union Church movement of what he calls “the good old days.” What he remembers fondly about those days was a unity of vision and resourcing to reach […]
If you’re like I was early in my international church pastoring call, any external pushes toward church planting were met with eye rolls. “How could we even think about multiplying when our own church is so in flux?” I thought stability was the name of the game in a highly mobile church setting. “Once this […]
International Church Planting This final opportunity of serving the globally mobile through the international churches is one that is near and dear to my heart. Ideas of church planting were already brewing pre-pandemic, but God redeemed a long and uncomfortable Colombian quarantine to ignite a passion for church planting. “Cease the delay” was the mantra […]
Proximity to Missionaries Most of us dream of shepherding congregations in which our people leave the building every Sunday ready to roll up their sleeves on God’s mission for the week ahead. Thanks to proximity to local missionaries, that dream is a reality in the international church. International churches serve as an oasis for those […]
Ministry to the Host Nation Story after story could be told about the unique reach international churches have toward the nations, but what about locally? Can international churches and their congregants attach locally for kingdom investment? Can international churches make a missional impact locally on their host city and country? The answer is a resounding […]
Ministry to the Nations International churches aren’t just equipping congregants for the mission to the next generation living down the hall (the next generation). They serve a unique role in equipping and deploying believers for the mission to all nations. International churches have historically operated in an insular fashion. The history of the United Church […]
Next Generation Ministry We have three strategic focus areas in which we heavily invest our time and resources. The first two have been alluded to already, community life and outreach. By far our biggest strategic focus area is reaching and discipling the next generation. John Adams, who formerly served at English Fellowship Church in Quito, […]
Discipleship In addition to evangelistic opportunities, international churches have the opportunity to minister the grace of God at life’s key discipleship moments. Part of this opportunity comes by way of the trauma of transition. When life is in upheaval, we become more aware of our problems, idols, and sin patterns. The pressure cooker of global […]